About Me
I have had an interest in historic bridges for as long as I can remember. Around my childhood home in St. Louis County, MN, historic truss bridges were as plentiful as one could imagine--now, there are only a few left, and I regret not photographing and documenting many of the structures that have been in existence and have disappeared over the past 21 years that I have been driving. Now, I try to get out and photo-document the bridges that are left in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hennepin and Fillmore counties lead the way in historic bridge quantity in the state, but on the other hand, many counties in the state have no historically valuable bridges at all, which is quite sad.
In addition to bridges, I love classic cars, particularly cars from the late '60's to early '70's cars from the Big 3. I had a 1971 Chevrolet Impala convertible that I'd owned since 1996, but sold in 2012.
Recent Updates
150th Street Bridge (Clayton County, Iowa)
Lost pony truss bridge over Roberts Creek on 150th StreetOctober 15, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge was replaced in 2016
Farmersburg Road Bridge (Clayton County, Iowa)
Warren pony truss w all verticals bridge over Roberts Creek on Farmersburg RoadOctober 15, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated bridge type
Winneshiek Slough Bridge (Crawford County, Wisconsin)
Deck truss bridge over Winneshiek Slough and BNSF Railroad on WI 82October 14, 2020: New photos
Black Hawk Bridge (Allamakee County, Iowa)
Three-span cantilevered through truss bridge over the Mississippi River, Front Street, and DM&E Railroad on WI 82 at LansingOctober 14, 2020: New photos
Farmersburg Road Bridge (Clayton County, Iowa)
Warren pony truss w all verticals bridge over Roberts Creek on Farmersburg RoadOctober 14, 2020: New photos
Roberts Creek Bridge (Clayton County, Iowa)
Pony truss bridge over Roberts Creek on X-28 in St. OlafOctober 14, 2020: New photos
Spook Cave King Post (Clayton County, Iowa)
Kingpost pony truss bridge over Drainage channel on Walking pathOctober 14, 2020: New photos
Spook Cave King Post (Clayton County, Iowa)
Kingpost pony truss bridge over Drainage channel on Walking pathOctober 14, 2020: Added
10th Road Bridge (Marquette County, Wisconsin)
Lost Timber stringer bridge over Union Pacific Railroad (formerly Chicago & Northwestern Railway) on 10th Road in Town of PackwaukeeSeptember 10, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Despite being refurbished in 2009, this bridge was replaced in 2013.
Wyman Bridge (Rock County, Wisconsin)
Lost Pratt through truss bridge over Turtle Creek on Old road alignment of what is now SR 140September 8, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated location to location of existing abutment
Mohrsville Bridge (Berks County, Pennsylvania)
Lost steel stringer bridge over Schuylkill River on Sr 4026(Lr 06031)August 31, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated bridge status
South Platte River FR 96 Bridge (Park County, Colorado)
Riveted 5-panel Pratt pony truss bridge over South Platte River on FR 96August 31, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Added truss type
South Platte River FR 96 Bridge (Park County, Colorado)
Riveted 5-panel Pratt pony truss bridge over South Platte River on FR 96August 30, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Added truss type
N. 45th Street Bridge (Milwaukee County, Wisconsin)
Pony plate girder bridge over Menomonee River on N 45th Street in MilwaukeeAugust 28, 2020: New Street View added
Texas Creek Bridge (Fremont County, Colorado)
Pony truss bridge over Arkansas River on CR 27 at Texas CreekAugust 20, 2020: New photos
Parkdale Bridge (Fremont County, Colorado)
Pony truss bridge over Arkansas River near Parkdale on CR 157 just off US 50August 20, 2020: New photos
Tamiami Canal Bridge (Old) (Miami-Dade County, Florida)
Swing bridge over unnamed canal at Fern Isle Park in MiamiJune 17, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated page to show bridge’s current purpose and location
Tamiami Canal Bridge (Old) (Miami-Dade County, Florida)
Swing bridge over unnamed canal at Fern Isle Park in MiamiJune 17, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge has been relocated to Fern Isle Park.
Saylesville Road Bridge (Dodge County, Wisconsin)
Lost Pony/through plate girder bridge over Rubicon River on Lrd Saylesville RoadMay 14, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge has been replaced.
Blue Mounds Branch Bridge (Iowa County, Wisconsin)
Lost Plate Girder pony bridge over Blue Mounds Branch on Sth 39April 29, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge has been replaced.
Bearskin River Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Lost steel stringer bridge over Bearskin River on Csah 5April 14, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge was replaced in 2017.
Bearskin River Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Lost steel stringer bridge over Bearskin River on Csah 5April 14, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge was replaced in 2017.
CSX - G Street Bridge (Butler County, Ohio)
Two-span concrete arch bridge over CSX RR on G Street (CR 290) in HamiltonApril 9, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated status per forum post
Sturgeon River Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Through truss bridge over Sturgeon River on CR 931April 7, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated description to reflect current sad state of the county.
Sturgeon River Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Pony truss bridge over Sturgeon River on CR 107March 8, 2020: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge was replaced in 2016.
600 Road Bridge (Cook County, Minnesota)
Lost Warren pony truss bridge over Temperance River on 600 RoadOctober 7, 2019: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge replaced in 2015 according to NBI and newer than GE Bing imagery
Shark River Bridge (Monmouth County, New Jersey)
Lost Wooden bridge over Shark River on CR 18August 28, 2019: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated per forum post: this bridge has been replaced.
UP - Big Blue River Bridge #2 (Marshall County, Kansas)
Pratt through truss bridge over Big Blue River on RailroadMay 22, 2019: Updated by Matt Lohry: Corrected bridge type—this is a Pratt through truss.
River Street Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Lost steel stringer bridge over Little Fork River on Mun 10April 26, 2019: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge has been replaced.
Sheboygan River Bridge (Sheboygan County, Wisconsin)
Concrete T-beam bridge over Sheboygan River on Lrd Alpine RoadApril 12, 2019: New photos
Crybaby Bridge (Anderson County, South Carolina)
Camelback through truss bridge over Rocky River on Old High Shoals Road alignmentApril 2, 2019: Added
Veterans Avenue Footbridge (Washington County, Wisconsin)
Lost Warren pony truss with alternating verticals bridge over Milwaukee River on Pedestrian walkwayNovember 10, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge has been removed and replaced.
Straight River IN 162 Bridge (Dubois County, Indiana)
Polygonal Warren w/ all verticals truss bridge over Straight River on IN 162November 8, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated bridge type
Forestville Road Bridge (Marquette County, Michigan)
Deck truss bridge over Dead River on HD RoadOctober 19, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated future prospects--this bridge was left standing next to its replacement.
Paint Rock River Relief Bridge (Madison County, Alabama)
Concrete tee beam bridge over Paint Rock River Relief on Old 431 HwyOctober 19, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated location--this bridge is just under a half mile north of the Paint Rock River bridge.
Runyon Street Bridge (Garland County, Arkansas)
Lost Concrete arch bridge over Hot Springs Creek on Runyon Street in Hot SpringsOctober 3, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Updated per forum post: bridge has been replaced
US61 Pigeon River International Bridge (Cook County, Minnesota)
Lost Parker through truss bridge over Pigeon River on US 61September 14, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Corrected bridge location--the old bridge was located in the community of Pigeon River, about 8 miles upriver from the current border crossing (about 5.8 miles west as the crow flies)
Embarrass River Bridge (St. Louis County, Minnesota)
Lost Warren with all verticals pony truss bridge over Embarrass River on CR 796September 4, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge has been replaced.
Erie Canal Footbridge (Oneida County, New York)
Riveted Pratt through truss footbridge over Erie Canal on abandoned walkway in DurhamvilleAugust 9, 2018: Added
Little Colorado River Bridge (Coconino County, Arizona)
Lost Warren deck truss bridge over Little Colorado River on US 89July 19, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: This bridge no longer exists. Replaced by UCEB in 2015.
Arthur Road Bridge (Washington County, Wisconsin)
Timber stringer bridge over Canadian National Railroad on Lrd Arthur RoadJune 24, 2018: Added
Otter Creek Bridge (Carlton County, Minnesota)
Abandoned pony truss bridge over Otter Creek on Old Hwy 1/Hwy 3June 18, 2018: New Street View added
Otter Creek Bridge (Carlton County, Minnesota)
Abandoned pony truss bridge over Otter Creek on Old Hwy 1/Hwy 3June 18, 2018: Added
Yellow Medicine River Bridge (Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota)
Pratt pony truss bridge over Yellow Medicine River on CR 115June 16, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Bridge was removed in March 2013; no replacement was built.
Auburn Bridge (Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin)
Warren pony truss with alternating verticals bridge over Milwaukee River on Private drivewayMay 10, 2018: New photos
Lowry Avenue Bridge (Old) (Hennepin County, Minnesota)
Lost five-span through truss bridge over Mississippi River on Lowry Avenue (CR 153) in MinneapolisMay 2, 2018: New Street View added
Bee Creek Bridge (Chautauqua County, Kansas)
Pony truss bridge over Bee Creek on Minor Ee.0-10.1, 7.0 mi. north and 2.0 mi. east of NiotazeApril 12, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Corrected location
Bee Creek Bridge (Chautauqua County, Kansas)
Pony truss bridge over Bee Creek on Minor Ee.0-10.1, 7.0 mi. north and 2.0 mi. east of NiotazeApril 12, 2018: Updated by Matt Lohry: Corrected location
Recent Comments
James Baughn
Posted December 9, 2020
I was shocked to go to the forum after not being here for a while and finding out about James’ death. A sad loss to friends and family as well as to the bridgehunting community. RIP.
Posted October 14, 2020
I finally got to see this breathtaking bridge in person and got to drive across it today. The thought of demolition of this magnificent structure is appalling to me, and talking to one of the residents of Lansing, the entire village is also in an uproar about it. The businesses in the village are in some way connected to the bridge, and its loss would also mean a tragic loss for Lansing’s identity as well. Many people have appealed to the Coast Guard to consider preservation options, but the Coast Guard does not seem to care, and has given a huge “F you” to the entire village. FAIL.
Posted October 14, 2020
Visited this bridge right after the one in St. Olaf; still extant and looking to be in pretty good shape. Gotta love Iowa!
Posted October 14, 2020
Visited this bridge on 10/14/2020; it is still extant and has no posted load limit. This bridge is mostly Warren configuration, but the center panel on each truss has a Pratt/like “X”, which I know has been brought up before on this website. The bridge looks to be in excellent condition with no pack rust or modifications that I could see. The bridge is fairly heavily used by trucks and farm equipment.
Posted September 29, 2020
This bridge was refurbished in 2013 with new concrete railings and a new coat of paint.
Posted August 29, 2020
The east approach has already been redone, with new walkways and benches and such—haven’t been down there yet.
Posted August 29, 2020
The east approach has already been redone, with new walkways and benches and such—haven’t been down there yet.
Posted August 29, 2020
The east approach has already been redone, with new walkways and benches and such—haven’t been down there yet.
Posted August 28, 2020
It appears that this bridge was fully rehabilitated in probably 2015, including new guard rails inside the girders, a new deck, and a new paint job. The rails are bright blue and don't overwhelm the girders. I'm happy to see that a highway bridge like this still exists in this very urban setting.
Posted August 21, 2020
The bus was rented, and the driver listened to the obviously brainless (and maybe drunk) occupants rather than her GPS, which was STRONGLY telling her not to cross with that vehicle...glad I’m not the one who has to explain this to the owning rental company when it’s time to turn it back in!!
Posted August 20, 2020
The bus was rented, and the driver listened to the obviously brainless (and maybe drunk) occupants rather than her GPS, which was STRONGLY telling her not to cross with that vehicle...glad I’m not the one who has to explain this to the owning rental company when it’s time to turn it back in!!
Posted July 29, 2020
Looks like the southernmost truss span has collapsed.
Posted July 2, 2020
If you sit on that couch you will automatically become immune to coronavirus.
Posted June 23, 2020
Not any more; satellite view shows a shiny new UCEB on a new alignment. Ugh.
RE: Contoocook River spillway?
Posted June 18, 2020
Nick,
Just a guess, but it looks to me like a flood control measure put in to keep the facilities along 127 from flooding over from the wetland to the south, which is on higher ground. The area along 127 looks to be lower, and if you look, there is another one of those levees to the west of the spillway. Any floodwater in there would all be directed by those levees to that spillway and subsequently to the Contoocook. Without it, water would just flow over that whole area uncontrolled, flooding out 127 and the buildings along there.